It is very important to estimate the future medical care expenditure, because medical care expenditure escalation is a big problem not only in the health industry but also in the Korean economy today. This study was designed to project the medical care expenditure in view of population age change. The data of this study were the population projection data based on National Census Data (1990) of the National Statistical Office and the Statistical Reports of the Korea Medical Insurance Corporation. The future medical care expenditure was eatimated by the regression model and the optional simulation model. The significant results are as follows; 1. The future medical care expenditure will be 3,963 billion Won in the year 2000, 4,483 billion Won in 2010, and 4,826 billion Won in 2020, based on the 1990 market price considering only the population age change. 2. The proportion of the total medical care expenditure in the elderly over 65 will be 10. 4% in 2000, 13.5% in 2010, and 16.9% in 2020. 3. The future medical care expenditure will be 4,306 billion Won in the year 2000, 5,1101 billion Won in 2010, and 5, 699 billion Won in 2020 based on the 1990 market price considering the age structure change and the change of the case-cost estimated by the regression model. 4. When we consider the age-structure change and inflation compared with the preceding year, the future medical care expenditurein 2020 will be 21 trillion Won based on a 5% inflation rate, 42 trillion Won based on a 7.5% inflation rate, and 84 trillion Won based on a 10% inflation rate. Consideration of the aged (65 years old and over)will be essential to understand the acute increase of medical care expenditure due to changes in age structure of the population. Therefore, alternative policies and programs for the caring of the aged should be further studied.
Aged ; Censuses ; Population Forecast ; Health Expenditures* ; Humans ; Inflation, Economic ; Insurance ; Korea

To evaluate the detection of HPV DNA according to subtype of lesions of uterine cervix and its clinical applicability, in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry for HPV were performed in 189 cases of uterine cervical lesion, including 23 cases of low grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL), 115 cases of high grade SIL and 51 cases of invasive carcinoma. Positive immunostaining, brown precipitate, was mainly noted in the nucleus of koilocytes in the superficial and intermediate layer. Positivity of immunostaining was 21.7% in low grade SIL, 13.0% in high grade SIL and 9.8% in invasive carcinoma. Positive reaction in ISH, red precipitate, was noted in the nucleus of not only koilocytes but also non-koilocytes in the superficial and intermediate layer, and dot precipitate was rarely identified in the nest of squamous cell carcinoma. Based on HPV subtype, 6/11 was 21.7% in low grade SIL, 16/18 was 32.2% and 39.2% in high grade SIL and invasive carcinoma, respectively. With regard to their associated HPV types, low grade SILs were heterogeneous and high grade SILs and invasive carcinomas were related with the high oncogenic risk group only. The correlation of HPV subtypes with panHPV was 91.3% in low grade SIL, 91.3% in high grade SIL and 98.0% in invasive carcinoma. These results suggest that detection of HPV infection by ISH may be a more useful method than immunohistochemistry and application of the HPV subtype probe with the panHPV probe could improve the sensitivity of ISH.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri* ; DNA ; Female ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry* ; In Situ Hybridization*

We experienced a case of a 38 year old women in whom an alpha-fetoprotein producing carcinoma originated in the rectum. The patient had symptoms of hematochezia and bowel habit change, and a rectal examination revealed an ulcerative mass at the midrectum. The mass size was 6.5 cm 6 cm. The serum alpha-fetoprotein measured preoperatively was 9336 ng/ml, and the serum (carcinoembryonic antigen) was 6.4 ng/ml. The serum level of alpha-fetoprotein decreased to 830 ng/ml thirteen days after a low anterior resection. The tumor mass was a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. Using an immunohistochemical staining method, we detected alpha-fetoprotein producing cells in the tumor mass. During the follow up, the serum alpha-fetoprotein level began to increase continuously, and an abdomin opelvic CT scan showed a systemic, local tumor recurrence. Based on our experience with this patient and a review of the literature on the few cases previously reported, it seems that alpha-fetoprotein producing colorectal carcinamas have a tendency to produce frequent blood-borne metastasis and are associated with a poor prognosis.
Adenocarcinoma ; Adult ; alpha-Fetoproteins* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Rectum ; Recurrence ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ulcer

PURPOSE: Single-port laparoscopic surgery has been used increasingly in treatment of a variety of conditions, and one recently introduced technique is single-port laparoscopic total extraperitoneal (SPLTEP) hernia repair. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and technical feasibility of SPLTEP hernia repair without fixation of the mesh. METHODS: From June 2010 to October 2012, 112 consecutive patients underwent SPLTEP hernia repair. RESULTS: We performed 129 inguinal hernia repairs in 112 patients, 17 were bilateral and 95 unilateral. There were 107 indirect hernias (83.0%), 20 direct hernias, and 2 hernias had both of types. Successful SPLTEP hernia repair was performed in 110 patients, with two conversions to an open surgical approach. Median operative times for unilateral and bilateral hernias were 70 minutes (40~145 minutes) and 90 minutes (67~135 minutes), respectively, and the hospital stay was 1 day (1~5 days). Postoperative complications included 10 patients with wound seromas or hematomas, 2 with urinary retention, 4 with groin pain, and 1 with bleeding from the incision site. There were 3 early recurrences (2.4%) during a median follow-up period of 42 months (range, 6~55). CONCLUSION: SPLTEP inguinal hernia repair without fixation of the mesh is both safe and technically feasible, and provides acceptable operative outcomes. Conduct of a prospective randomized study with long-term follow-up is needed to confirm the benefit of this technique in patients with inguinal hernia.
Follow-Up Studies ; Groin ; Hematoma ; Hemorrhage ; Hernia ; Hernia, Inguinal* ; Herniorrhaphy ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence ; Seroma ; Urinary Retention ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to assess the effects of age on the short-term outcomes of a laparoscopic resection of colorectal cancer in elderly (> or =75 years old), as compared with younger (<75 years old), patients. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer between January 2007 and December 2009 was performed. There were two groups: age <75 years old (group A) and age > or =75 years old (group B). The perioperative outcomes between group A and group B were compared. RESULTS: The study included 824 patients in group A and 92 patients in group B. The body mass index (BMI) and the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score were significantly different between group B and group A (BMI: 22.5 vs. 23.5, P = 0.002; ASA score: 1.88 vs. 1.48, P = 0.001). Mean operating times were similar between the groups (325.4 minutes vs. 351.6 minutes, P = 0.07). We observed a higher overall complication rate in group B than in group A (12.0% vs. 6.2%, P = 0.047), but the number of severe complications of Accordion Severity Classification > or =3 (those that required an invasive procedure) was not significantly different between the two groups (6.5% vs. 3.4%, P = 0.142). There was no significant difference in the length of hospital stay (13.0 days vs. 12.0 days, P = 0.053). CONCLUSION: Although the elderly patients had a significantly higher overall postoperative complication rate, no significant difference was seen in either the number of severe complications of Accordion Severity Classification > or =3 or in the length of hospital stay. A laparoscopic colorectal cancer resection in elderly patients, especially those aged 75 years or older, is safe and feasible.
Aged ; Body Mass Index ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies

The recent introduction of an intraoperative near infrared fluorescence (INIF) imaging system installed on the da Vinci Si(R) robotic system has enabled surgeons to identify intravascular NIF signals in real time. This technology is useful in identifying hidden vessels and assessing blood supply to bowel segments. In this study, we report 3 cases of patients with rectal cancer who underwent robotic low anterior resection (LAR) with INIF imaging for the first time in Asia. In September 2012, robotic-assisted rectal resection with INIF imaging was performed on three consecutive rectal cancer patients. LAR was performed in 2 cases, and abdominoperineal resection was performed in the third case. INIF imaging was used to identify the left colic branch of the inferior mesenteric artery and to assess blood supply to the distal rectum. We evaluated the utility of INIF imaging in performing robotic-assisted colorectal procedures. Our preliminary results suggest that this technique is safe and effective, and that INIF imaging may be a useful tool to colorectal surgeons.
Aged ; Digestive System Surgical Procedures/*methods ; Female ; Fluorescence ; Humans ; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted/instrumentation/*methods ; *Intraoperative Care ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Neoplasms/*surgery ; Rectum/*surgery ; Robotics/*methods ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared/*methods ; Treatment Outcome

Four consecutive cases of a colonic stricture following a da Vinci robot-assisted ultra-low anterior resection (LAR) with coloanal anastomosis and diverting ileostomy for the treatment of rectal cancer are reported. The colonic strictures developed after early proximal colonic ischemia without anastomotic site leakage or disruption. All patients were treated with preoperative chemoradiation therapy. During the postoperative recovery period, patients developed colonic ischemia, presenting with a high, spiking fever, but without any symptoms of peritonitis. Patients were treated with conservative management (antibiotic therapy) and discharged after two weeks when in good condition. Several months after discharge, all four patients developed a long-segment colonic stricture from the anastomosis site to the distal colon. Management of the colon strictures, including the anastomotic site, involved colonic dilation with a Hegar dilator in an outpatient clinic for several months. The ileostomies in three patients could not be closed.
Ambulatory Care Facilities ; Colon* ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Fever ; Humans ; Ileostomy ; Ischemia* ; Peritonitis ; Rectal Neoplasms

Port site hernias are a rare complication after laparoscopic and robotic surgery. The current case is an 8-mm port site hernia which occurred after robot-assisted colorectal surgery. A 70-year-old female with a BMI (body mass index) of 25.7 was diagnosed as rectosigmoid colon cancer. She underwent a robot-assisted low anterior resection with double-stapled anastomosis for AJCC (American Joint Committee on Cancer) stage IIIB. After the main procedure, fascial defects in the supra-pubic and the supra-umbilical site were closed with a routine procedure (12 mm). Thirty two months after surgery, she developed an incisional hernia in the left mid abdomen (8-mm port). Recognition of the potential for a port site hernia using an 8-mm bladeless trocar port as well as a 12-mm port is essential in robotic surgery. Patients with risk factors for a port site hernia may require complete port site closure.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Colonic Neoplasms ; Colorectal Surgery* ; Female ; Hernia* ; Humans ; Joints ; Risk Factors ; Surgical Instruments*

PURPOSE: The optimal time between neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (CRT) and surgery for rectal cancer has been debated. This study evaluated the influence of this interval on oncological outcomes. METHODS: We compared postoperative complications, pathological downstaging, disease recurrence, and survival in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer who underwent surgical resection <8 weeks (group A, n = 105) to those who had surgery > or =8 weeks (group B, n = 48) after neoadjuvant CRT. RESULTS: Of 153 patients, 117 (76.5%) were male and 36 (23.5%) were female. Mean age was 57.8 years (range, 28 to 79 years). There was no difference in the rate of sphincter preserving surgery between the two groups (group A, 82.7% vs. group B, 77.6%; P = 0.509). The longer interval group had decreased postoperative complications, although statistical significance was not reached (group A, 28.8% vs. group B, 14.3%; P = 0.068). A total of 111 (group A, 75 [71.4%] and group B, 36 [75%]) patients were downstaged and 26 (group A, 17 [16.2%] and group B, 9 [18%]) achieved pathological complete response (pCR). There was no significant difference in the pCR rate (P = 0.817). The longer interval group experienced significant improvement in the nodal (N) downstaging rate (group A, 46.7% vs. group B, 66.7%; P = 0.024). The local recurrence (P = 0.279), distant recurrence (P = 0.427), disease-free survival (P = 0.967), and overall survival (P = 0.825) rates were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: It is worth delaying surgical resection for 8 weeks or more after completion of CRT as it is safe and is associated with higher nodal downstaging rates.
Chemoradiotherapy ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoadjuvant Therapy ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Postoperative Complications ; Preoperative Period ; Rectal Neoplasms ; Recurrence

PURPOSE: Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) have been proposed for controlling peritoneal seeding metastasis in some kinds of cancers, including those of colorectal origin, but their safety and oncological benefits are subjects of debate. We present our early experience with those procedures. METHODS: Data were retrospectively collected from all patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) and pseudomyxoma peritonei (PMP) treated using CRS and HIPEC at Yonsei Cancer Center between July 2014 and July 2015. Short-term outcomes and risk factors for postoperative complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients with PC (n = 18) and PMP (n = 5) underwent CRS and HIPEC. Median follow-up and age were 2 months and 54 years, respectively. The median peritoneal carcinomatosis index score was 15, and CC0-1 was achieved in 78.3% of all patients. The median operation time and bleeding loss were 590 minutes and 570 mL, respectively. Grade-IIIa/grade-IIIb complications occurred in 4.3% (n = 1)/26.1% (n = 6) of the patients within 30 days postoperatively, and no 30-day mortalities were reported. Factors related to postoperative complications with CRS and HIPEC were number of organ resection (P = 0.013), longer operation time (P < 0.001), and amount of blood loss (P = 0.003). All patients treated with cetuximab for recurred colorectal cancer had grade-III postoperative complication. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience with CRS and HIPEC presented about 30% grade-III postoperative complications. Therefore, expert surgeons need to perform those procedures with great caution in selected patients who might benefit from it.
Carcinoma ; Cetuximab ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Cytoreduction Surgical Procedures ; Drug Therapy* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Mortality ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Postoperative Complications ; Pseudomyxoma Peritonei ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Surgeons